Gaia Gaja, daughter of Angelo Gaja, celebrated winemaking owner of the leading Italian brand, is in charge of global markets for the family's wines. Geoffrey Dean caught up with her at the winery in Barbaresco

In total the 2013 Penfolds Bin Series covers three vintages, with the 2012 white wine vintage said to offer intensity of flavour and fruitfulness. "The white wines from this release - Bin 51 Eden Valley Riesling and Bin 311 Tumbarumba Chardonnay - will be able to be enjoyed early, but also look to have longevity," said senior white winemaker Kym Schroeter.

Meanwhile 2008 Penfolds Grange Shiraz has scored a perfect 100 points in the Australian Report in the Wine Advocate. The score was awarded by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW.

"Deep purple-black in colour, the 2008 Grange puts forward a very complex nose packed with aromas of mulberries, layers of baking spices, cloves and cinnamon with nuances of minced meat, anise, potpourri and whiffs of dried mint and chocolate. It is framed by firm, grainy tannins and a refreshing acid line before finishing very long with aniseed and lingering blackberry preserves notes. This is clearly a wonderfully opulent and a magic vintage for this label. Drink it from 2018 to 2035+" Perrotti-Brown wrote.

The 2008 Penfolds Grange Shiraz will be released to the market on May 1.

The release is the culmination of a Brancott's "icon project" which examined the world's top Sauvignon Blancs with an aim of challenging New Zealand's winemaking and viticulture practices to produce a different expression of Malborough Sauvington Blanc that could "sit alongside icons from Bordeaux, Burgundy and Loire."

The grapes which were chosen to produce an age-worthy wine that delivers great palate length and will slowly evolve over the coming ten years.

"Our understanding of complex and age-worthy natural aroma compounds of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, together with our learnings of the soil types on Brancott Vineyard, has given us a unique opportunity to create this prestigious wine - the pinnacle of our winemaking," said Patrick Materman, Brancott Estate's chief winemaker.

"This project has been, and will continue to be, a long journey of discovery, involving many people working together to challenge every step of New Zealand's winemaking and viticulture practices from the past four decades. The release of Brancott Estate Chosen Rows is testament to our on-going commitment to Marlborough and our pioneering vision, which led us to create the original Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc nearly 40 years ago."

Grupo Codorníu has changed its name to Bodegas y Viñedos Codorníu Raventós as it looks to draw attention to its broad portfolio of products and heritage.

TextGrupo Codorníu has changed its name to Bodegas y Viñedos Codorníu Raventós as it looks to draw attention to its broad portfolio of products and heritage.

As well as producing the UK's third best-selling sparkling wine brand by volume, the company sells wines from premium Spanish regions to independents. These include Viña Pomal in Rioja, Raimat in Costers del Segre, Legaris in Ribera del Duero and Scala Dei in Priorat.

Bodegas y Viñedos Codorníu Raventós is also the UK agent for New Zealand producer Invivo and Australia's Thorn-Clarke.

The company owns eight wineries in Spain and one each in Argentina and the US, as well as over 2,500ha of vineyards.

"Our new name also reinforces our winemaking heritage and family roots. Established in 1551 as a winemaking company, Codorníu became intrinsically linked with the Raventós family in the 17th century when the Codorníu heiress Anna married into the Raventós winemaking dynasty," a spokeswoman said.

Bibendum Wines has been appointed distributor for Treasury Wine Estate's Penfolds label.

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Bibendum Wines has been appointed distributor for Treasury Wine Estate's Penfolds label.

Bibendum will distribute Penfolds Bins, Icon and Luxury Wines as well as its on-trade exclusive range of Penfolds Cellar Reserve wines and Penfolds Bin 2 from this month.

Matthew Clark had distributed Penfolds in the UK until four years ago, when TWE moved to a number of regional distribution arrangements.

Andrew Shaw, Bibendum's head of buying said: "Penfolds are a terrific addition to the Bibendum portfolio. We have always been very strong supporters of Australian wines and couldn't pass up the opportunity to distribute one of the country's most iconic names. "

A number of back vintage wines will also be made available to Bibendum under the agreement.

Bibendum will include a range of Penfolds wines at its annual tasting on Wednesday February 6.

We Londoners are lucky. We can see screen legends on our West End stages, hear virtuoso musicians of every genre in our concert venues and look at Holbeins, Raphaels and Monets or the latest installations any day of the week. A steady flow of temporary exhibitions means everyone - yes everyone- can look at Gauguin, van Gogh or Brueghel.

We Londoners are lucky. We can see screen legends on our West End stages, hear virtuoso musicians of every genre in our concert venues and look at Holbeins, Raphaels and Monets or the latest installations any day of the week. A steady flow of temporary exhibitions means everyone - yes everyone- can look at Gauguin, van Gogh or Brueghel. No, I am not sponsored by Boris or the Arts Council. I am just reminded how great it is to get to see, taste and experience originals. That's presumably why so many braved the weather for The Wine Barn's Annual Trade Tasting at the German House in Belgravia on Monday.